Diving in Ensenada or LaBufadora areas in Mexico

[Les Sage]

I will be in SOCal the first week in August visiting; need some info regarding diving in Mexico. Hope to do a couple of days diving for WSB and have one trip planned with BillMac.

My daughter has made a trip or two to LaBufadora/Ensenada area in Mexico and asked if I would like to make a trip down there. I'm wondering about the diving in that area as I have heard there is a large kelp bed along the coast. Any WSB or are there only YT there? Need a panga or can I go from the beach? Is it safe to take a family in this area, etc?

Any info would be appreciated.

Les

[jonsjameson]

It helps if you know spanish

Mexico gets a bad rap because of drunk tourists. If you behave and act like you are in another country everything should be fine. Bring cash and put most of it in your sock. They have random checkpoints on the roads, sometimes the federalies will ask for money (normally between 20 -40 bucks), if you speak spanish you can argue with them, but if you are a gringo give them 20 dollars and they will let be on your way (I just think of it as a toll road). Also buy mexican car insurance before you drive across the boarder.

I hope this helps,
Jon

[southbound]

PM John Hughs. He dives La Bufadora quite often and has extensive knowledge of the area.

[ralphthehalibut]

It helps if you know spanish

sometimes the federalies will ask for money (normally between 20 -40 bucks), if you speak spanish you can argue with them, but if you are a gringo give them 20 dollars and they will let be on your way (I just think of it as a toll road).




Personally, I would ask you to PLEASE DON'T pay the federales or policia down there mordidas (bribes). It's like feeding a seal a fish to make it leave - it only trains them to look at you as an easy target.

If you do get pulled over for a BS "ticket", just askk to go to the courthouse to see the judge. Most of the time, the cop will just let you go (I think I'm at 5 out of 6) to look for easier targets. If they do take you to the courthouse, the fines are usually way less than the cop wants.

For the checkpoints, most commonly there is one just south of rosirito, ensenada, and just outside of el rosario (doesn't sound like you're going that far though) Bring some extra sodas on ice and hand em out to the guys at the checkpoint - it's a good way to make friends, get through faster and make it look like not all tourists are a-holes (HIDE THE BEER or they'll want those too).

Shoredive vis is around the ensenada area is typically bad to really bad. If you charter a panga out to Isla todos santos in the bay the vis is usually quite good.

[John Hughes]

PM John Hughs. He dives La Bufadora quite often and has extensive knowledge of the area.

pm me. I'll pm you back my phone # and give you the dope. The yellows should be thick right now depending on the water temp. I've been a little too busy to get down there lately, but headed down next month. I'll check in with my spies and see what's going on. :thumps: